How to Send Money From M-Pesa to Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda: Steps, Limits and Charges

Updated 4 November 2026

Quick answer: you can send money from M-Pesa in Kenya to mobile money wallets in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda through M-Pesa Global. Dial *840#, opt in once with your M-Pesa PIN, choose send money abroad and pick the country and network. Safaricom says you can send from KSh 101 to KSh 150,000 per transaction, the recipient gets the money in their own currency, and Safaricom charges no fee, although its prevailing exchange rate applies.

This guide covers which networks each country supports, the step-by-step process on USSD and the apps, how people in those countries send money back to Kenya, and the limits. It is based on Safaricom’s M-Pesa Global FAQ page, read on 25 October 2026. That page was last updated in August 2025, so check the rate and networks shown on *840# before you confirm a transfer.

Which Networks Can You Send To?

Safaricom lists these East African partners:

Other routes on M-Pesa Global include MTN Zambia (both ways), Orange Botswana and Airtel Malawi (receiving only), bank accounts in Germany, China and the UAE, and Western Union cash pickup.

Step 1: Opt In to M-Pesa Global

You only do this once.

1. Dial *840#.
2. Select Opt in.
3. Read the terms and conditions and select Accept.
4. Enter your M-Pesa PIN.
5. Wait for the confirmation SMS.

You can also opt in on the M-Pesa app (Send and Request, then Global) or the My Safaricom app (M-Pesa, then M-Pesa Global, then Opt in). Our guide to activating M-Pesa Global walks through the screens.

Step 2: Send Money to Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda

1. Dial *840# and choose send money abroad, or open the M-Pesa app and go to Send and Request, then Global.
2. Choose the partner network in the destination country, for example MTN Uganda or Vodacom Tanzania.
3. Enter the recipient’s mobile number with the country code (+256 for Uganda, +255 for Tanzania, +250 for Rwanda).
4. Enter the amount in Kenya shillings. The menu shows the exchange rate and what the recipient will get in their currency.
5. Check the name and amount, then enter your M-Pesa PIN.
6. Keep the confirmation SMS as your receipt.

Confirm the recipient’s name before you enter your PIN. Call customer care straight away if you send to the wrong number.

Limits and Charges

• Minimum per transaction: KSh 101.
• Maximum per transaction: KSh 150,000.
• Fee: Safaricom says there are zero charges; you pay through the exchange rate it applies on the day.
• More detail: our page on M-Pesa Global limits and charges covers the other global routes.

Because the cost is built into the rate, compare the amount the recipient will receive against the official exchange rate before you send, especially for large amounts.

How People in Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda Send Money to M-Pesa Kenya

Safaricom publishes the codes for the other direction:

• Tanzania: on a Vodacom line, dial *150*00# and choose Send money to M-Pesa Kenya.
• Rwanda: on an MTN line, dial *830#.
• Uganda: on an MTN line, dial *165#.

Only registered M-Pesa customers can receive money from abroad into their M-Pesa account, and Safaricom says receiving through its partners does not cost the recipient anything. For transfers from outside the region see how to receive money from abroad on M-Pesa.

Who Uses This, and When Another Route Is Better

The service suits sending school fees or pocket money to students in Uganda, paying suppliers or business partners in Tanzania and Rwanda, and supporting family across the border, which are the uses Safaricom itself highlights. For very large business payments, a bank transfer may be easier to document for accounting. For cash pickup where the recipient has no mobile wallet, M-Pesa Global’s Western Union option is the alternative.

If you trade across the border, keep each M-Pesa confirmation SMS and statement as proof of payment; our guide to getting an M-Pesa statement shows how to download one.

Getting Help

Call Safaricom customer care on 100 or 200 for any M-Pesa Global problem, including a transfer that has not arrived. Have the transaction code from your SMS ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to send money from M-Pesa to Uganda?

Safaricom’s FAQ says M-Pesa Global has zero transaction charges, with the prevailing exchange rate applied. The menu shows the rate before you confirm.

Can I send from M-Pesa Kenya to Airtel Money Uganda?

Yes. Safaricom lists both MTN and Airtel as destinations in Uganda.

What is the maximum I can send to Tanzania on M-Pesa?

KSh 150,000 per transaction, with a minimum of KSh 101.

Can someone in Rwanda send money to my M-Pesa?

Yes, from an MTN Rwanda line by dialling *830#, and Safaricom also lists Airtel Rwanda as a partner for receiving.

Do I need to opt in every time?

No. You opt in once on *840# or the app, then send whenever you need to.

Last verified 25 October 2026 on Safaricom’s M-Pesa Global FAQ page (safaricom.co.ke).